Very nice work Despothera, and good comments from the posters above too. I'm going to have to start reading this feature regularly!

I think there are more points for Egeanin/Leilwin being the woman with the sword. First off, in the dream, the sword is the only constant about the Seanchan woman's identity. This describes Egeanin almost perfectly: her personal honor and code of conduct, which for her are tied to soldiering, survive a lot of upheaval in her life. Her name and face do change, being raised to the blood changes her appearance, and then she gets renamed by Tuon. What's remarkable about her is how stoically she takes it all, name and self-image are normally two of the most ingrained components of a sense of self, but not for Egeanin. She accepts these things as external and transient, that they can be reassigned, but her sense of duty is non-negotiable.

It's true that Tylee has made nice with Perrin, but Egeanin became friends with Nynaeve and Elayne. Egwene is the only primary-character Aes Sedai with whom she *hasn't* had a cup of tea. Also, after traveling with Mat out of Ebou Dar, she's spent more time with uncollared Aes Sedai than any other Seanchan (if we consider Tuon's ban on interacting with Teslyn, Joline, and Edesina.)

Lastly, IIRC the image of a sword stowed over-the-shoulder is not common for Seanchan, it's a Borderlander thing. Egeanin, however, wears her sword sailor-style, across her chest. Although I think it's said Seanchan sailors wear them this way to enable climbing up rigging, there might be some reason to rotate around to the back, out of the body's way. It's a stretch, but it's an identifying characteristic of Egeanin that seems to match up with the prophecy.

Fantastic review, Jason. Of course, we were all waiting with bated breath anyway... but reading your review refreshed my excitement, and (to be honest) made me happy because of your personal appreciation of this experience. You're a part of tWoT now, officially, in-canon. Congrats!